Haunted, by Lorraine Orman

“Horrible boys!” a voice says suddenly. I swing round, my heart jumping into my throat. A girl stands in the doorway. A strange, old-fashioned girl, wearing a white dress down to her ankles and white shoes. Her fair hair is braided and tied with white ribbons. I pick up a hint of that sweet lily smell, as if she’s wearing it like perfume.
“I made them go away,” she says with a slight English accent. “They were rude and noisy.”

When Georgia and her brother are sent for a holiday on their Aunty and Uncle’s farm, neither is pleased, though Ned soon comes around when he strikes a friendship with their cousin Jeff. Left on her own, Georgia starts exploring the farm, and is delighted to discover an old homestead on the property, which she thinks will make a cool hideout. But Georgia soon realises she is not alone, when she is befriended by a mysterious girl called Lily. Could Lily be a ghost –a nd what does she want from Georgia and Ned? Soon, the children discover they are playing with fire.

Haunted is a ghost story aimed at reluctant readers, with its short format and high interest making it ideal for these readers, as well as for readers of all abilities. Part of Walker’s Lightning Strikes series, the book is attractively packaged with a red cover and silver highlights.

This gripping offering makes an excellent addition to an outstanding series.